BNP leaders and activists, along with members of its affiliated organizations, have continued their sit-in protest at Dhaka’s Kakrail intersection, demanding that Ishraq Hossain be officially handed over responsibilities as the mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC).
As of 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, protesters were still gathered near Kakrail Mosque. According to participants, they spent the entire night at the intersection, demonstrating.
Around 8:15 a.m., over a hundred activists were seen sitting and standing in front of a police barricade on the road toward Jamuna from Kakrail.
Several hundred more were scattered in small groups nearby. Some who had stayed overnight were seen resting—lying or sitting on plastic sheets spread on the street.
Activists of BNP`s affiliate wings were also seen chanting slogans in support of Ishraq on the road leading to Matsya Bhaban.
The protest caused significant disruptions for commuters, as Thursday marked the last working day of the week.
Many motorcyclists and pedestrians were seen being turned back or forced to take alternative routes due to roadblocks.
Some tried negotiating with protesters, explaining their destinations, but none were allowed through.
By 9:00 a.m., slogans like "Ishraq Bhai of the streets, we haven`t forgotten you," "We want to fight to survive," "No to delays in oath-taking," and "Soldiers of Ishraq Bhai will win this battle" rang through the area.
Security forces were visibly present, maintaining a watchful presence in response to the gathering.
The protest began around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, spreading across the intersections near Matsya Bhaban and Kakrail Mosque. Demonstrators occupied the roads throughout the day.
At around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, BNP leader Ishraq Hossain arrived at the site and declared that the protest would continue until he assumes mayoral office.
He also demanded the resignation of interim government advisors Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan and Mahfuz Alam, accusing them of obstructing the process and calling for their departure to restore government neutrality.
Ishraq stayed at the protest site with supporters until around 11:45 p.m. that night.
